Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman. And certainly I've worked with the gentleman from California on a number of issues, and I rise in vigorous opposition to this amendment as the cochairman and founder of the Pakistan Caucus. And let me frame the reason. First of all, we have a very responsible and sizable Pakistani American community that champions the idea of a democratic and economically stable Pakistan. It was only a few years ago that Benazir Bhutto was assassinated. However, the government that has carried on, although living in a difficult neighborhood and having difficult challenges, is a result of her efforts to try to bring democracy to Pakistan. The people of Pakistan live in a very difficult neighborhood, and if we abandon this assistance--obviously, defense assistance--we abandon the people of Pakistan. We abandon those who want an education and economic stability. We abandon those soldiers in the Pakistani military who have fallen in battle fighting against terrorists. We will abandon those who have been in the Swat Valley. We will abandon those who have been in the mountains of Pakistan. The Acting CHAIR. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.”